Urban Centre · Area profile
Blue Mountains
79 km²
Older adults and seniors make up a significant part of the Blue Mountains, where the typical resident is now 47. This community has grown by 50% since 2011, adding about 10,036 people. It is a highly qualified area with a strong trend toward people having no religion. The region is largely residential, with most people living in detached houses and a very high number of residents working from home.
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The population is far older than the national figure, with 24.3% of people aged 65 and over. This senior population has risen by 8.0 percentage points since 2011, while the proportion of children under 15 has fallen to 15.7%.
People born overseas make up 20.1% of the community, a figure that has risen 14 points since 2011. English and Australian ancestries are the most common, while the proportion of residents born in Australia is 75.8%.
English is the main language for 88.0% of residents. While the number of people using another language at home has risen to 7.8% since 2011, this remains far below the national figure of 22.3%.
A majority of residents identify as having no religion, at 52.4%. This is far above the national figure and represents a significant shift, rising 36 points since 2011.
The community is well-qualified, with 32.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is well above the national figure, and 62.0% of residents have completed Year 12.
Typical weekly family income is $1,967, which is a little below the national figure. However, the number of households earning $3,000 or more a week has risen 12 points since 2011 to 17.8%.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 35.1% of people. Mental health conditions are particularly prevalent, at 12.5%, which is well above the national figure.
Local residents are active in their community, with 19.0% volunteering, well above the national figure. Unpaid housework is also more common here than in most areas, at 27.4%.
The area has a high number of people living alone, at 32.2%, which is well above the national figure. People per home has moved down slightly since 2011 to 2.3.
Detached houses are very common, making up 89.9% of homes. Ownership is strong, with 40.1% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure of 31.0%.
Working from home is very common at 35.1%, which is far above the national figure. In contrast, only 1.5% of the workforce commutes using public transport.
About 35.1% of people have moved house in the last five years. The proportion of recent arrivals from overseas has fallen to 5.1%, which is well below the national figure.
About 54.8% of adults are working or looking for work. The most common industries are health care and social assistance, followed by education and training.
Most homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park, but far fewer are within walking distance of groceries or schools compared to the state average. The terrain is notably steeper than in most of New South Wales.